Ramirez Explains Rejection of Juanma's Apology, Solution

By Rey Colon

Referee Robert Ramirez explained his reasoning for rejecting the public apology of Juan Manuel Lopez. After Lopez was stopped in the tenth round of Saturday's rematch with WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido, which took place in San Juan - Lopez called Ramirez "a gambler" and claimed the referee had a "gambling problem."

On Sunday, Lopez, along with PR Best Boxing Vice President Peter Rivera, issued public apologies to Ramirez - but he refuses to accept them.

However, there is a compromise. Ramirez is willing to forgive the incident if Lopez issues an apology on a global level - like a public message on Showtime and a video message on the social networks like Youtube. Ramirez believes a press release apology is not enough to forgive Juanma for damaging his reputation on a television broadcast being watched by millions.

"You saw the expression of surprise on the interviewer's face [when Juanma called me a gambler]. [The interviewer] tried to change the subject, but [Juanma] remained adamant that I was a gambler [on worldwide television] and the apology has to be at the same level, on Showtime and the social networks like Youtube," Ramirez said.

"[Rivera called me] and he told me that that his company supported me and my decision [to stop the fight]. He had made a press release [with an apology] which gave the impression that it was Juanma who wrote it......I told [Rivera] that he was the one who wrote it, and [Rivera] admitted it. I am not pleased."

According to Ramirez, he was advised by Rivera that Juanma was possibly going to hold a press conference with the media to personally apologize for his comments.

[QUOTE=djdodat;11879854]Maybe he's just looking for a big settlement, to pay off his gambling debts.[/QUOTE]
Not really. The ref said he does not want any money from Juanma, he just wants an apology from Juanma that is broadcasted on Showtime.

[QUOTE=edgarg;11879988]I certainly am surprised that a modern day person's reputation can be damaged by being called a gambler. Today is not as it was 100 years ago. Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City , new York, ind indeed every city big…